Hurricane Laura Update - Tuesday August 25, 11am

Click HERE  to see the 10am NWS Slides for TS Laura

Here is an update concerning Hurricane Laura. 

Changes from previous update: 

• Tropical storm and storm surge watches have been upgraded to warnings across portions of the area

• There have been no significant changes to the possible impacts

Overview:

• Hurricane Laura is forecast to continue strengthening as it moves across the Gulf today and tomorrow

• It is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane in SW LA or SE TX Wednesday night

• At least some impacts are still expected across portions of SE LA and S MS

Confidence:

• If the current forecast holds, we are confident that minor/moderate impacts will be experienced across portions of SE LA and S MS

Impacts:

Storm Surge:

• Possible storm surge inundation levels

  • Morgan City to MS River: 4-6 ft inundation possible

  • MS River to Ocean Springs: 3-5 ft inundation possible

  • Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas: 2-4 ft inundation possible

  • Ocean Springs to AL Border: 1-3 ft possible

• Expect several low-lying, coastal roads to become impassable due to flooding. 

• Some areas may become cut off or inaccessible 

Wind and tornado:

• Sustained tropical storm force winds with higher gusts will be possible mainly across areas near and just east of the Atchafalaya River Wednesday into Wednesday night

• These winds could result in minor damage mainly to trees, powerlines, and weaker structures. A few trees may fall and block roadways or damage structures.

• A few tornadoes will be possible in the storm’s rain bands. Tornadoes in these situations are typically short-lived, but they move very quickly.

Rainfall/Flooding:

• There is potential for heavy rainfall if/where any of Laura's outer bands track

• Expect ponding of water in low lying areas and some potential for localized flash flooding

Additional Information and Resources:

NWS New Orleans Website: www.weather.gov/neworleans

NWS New Orleans DSS Website: http://www.weather.gov/lix/embrief

NWS New Orleans Tropical Page: https://www.weather.gov/srh/tropical?office=lix

River Gauges and Forecasts: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lix

NWS New Orleans Facebook: www.facebook.com/NWSNewOrleans

NWS New Orleans Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSNewOrleans

Online Severe Weather Reporting: https://www.weather.gov/lix/submit_storm_report

National Hurricane Center Website: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/